A DILAPIDATED manor house destroyed by fire more than 17 years ago looks set to be demolished to make way for new homes.

Lockley Homes has put forward proposals that will see the Victorian-era Wheatfield Court in Callow End near Worcester demolished and replaced with a mix of three-and-four-bed homes and bungalows.

The building off the village’s Upton Road was destroyed by a huge fire in 2004 – having been converted into flats – leaving its then residents homeless and the building gutted.

The building has remained empty ever since but has been known to be used by squatters and other “unofficial residents” on several occasions.

Wheatfield Park, a retirement village of park homes and static caravans, sits to the north of the land.

Some concerns have been raised about the new entrance to the homes off the busy Upton Road.

One villager in Callow End who objected to the plan said: “The main reason I object to this plan is the entrance onto the main road.

“This a dangerous stretch of road due the blind bend going towards Callow End village.

“It is hard to turn onto this road now and this will add extra traffic to an already bad spot.”

The land has already been included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) for a development of up to 15 homes.

A statement from Lockley Homes said: “Our proposal, designed by A2 Architecture, will replace this derelict site with a stunning development in a gateway location to the village, and bring the site back into economic use.

“It will also help Malvern Hills District Council deliver a key housing site in line with the SWDP village allocation and development strategy.”

Ian O’Gorman, land director at Lockley Homes: “We are looking forward to progressing this detailed planning application with Malvern Hills District Council and expect to receive planning permission by Christmas.”

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Malvern Hills District Council’s website.

The application number is 21/01276/FUL.

Public consultation ends on September 24.